\n<\/p>\n
Warning: The following story contains descriptions of sexual assault that may be upsetting for some readers<\/em>.<\/p>\n This past January, Loudwire reported<\/a> on former Marilyn Manson<\/a> personal assistant Ashley Walters \u201creviv[ing] her [sexual assault and battery] lawsuit against the musician after it was dismissed\u201d late last year. Now, a California judge has rejected Manson\u2019s latest request(s) to stop Walters\u2019 lawsuit.<\/p>\n For context, Walters filed a lawsuit against Manson in 2021<\/a> \u201cciting sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, interference with the exercise of civil rights in violation of the Bane Act, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.\u201d<\/p>\n Fast-forward to December of 2025 and Los Angeles County Judge Steve Cochran dismissed Walters\u2019 case because \u2013 as Loudwire wrote<\/a> \u2013 Walters\u2019 \u201cclaims fell outside the statute of limitations and could not be revived based on the argument that her memories of alleged abuse had been suppressed.\u201d However, Walters resumed her lawsuit against Manson around the beginning of 2026, claiming that \u201cCalifornia\u2019s AB 250 statute [which took effect on Jan. 1, 2026] . . . extends the statue of limitations on sexual assault claims\u201d (per Loudwire<\/a>).<\/p>\n This past Friday (June 5), and according to Rolling Stone<\/a><\/em>, Manson (real name: Brian Hugh Warner) \u201clost his latest bid . . . to shut down\u201d Walters\u2019 lawsuit because Judge Cochran \u201crefused to toss or trim the claims in Ashley Walters\u2019 third amended complaint.\u201d<\/p>\n In particular, said complaint was filed this past February and asserted that the singer \u201cpushed [Walters] onto a bed, pinned her arms, and tried to kiss her as she pulled away during an incident at Warner\u2019s . . . home studio in May 2010.\u201d Rolling Stone<\/em> continued: \u201c[Walters] claimed Warner then moved behind her and \u2018bit her ear while grabbing her hand and placing it in his underwear.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The magazine added that during Friday\u2019s hearing, Manson\u2019s lawyer \u2013 Alexa Foley \u2013 contended that Walters\u2019 \u201callegations did not qualify as revivable under the new law\u201d and that Walters \u201ccouldn\u2019t meet the standard of showing she was physically restrained during the alleged sexual assault.\u201d<\/p>\n Foley specified (via Rolling Stone<\/em>):<\/p>\n Walters turned away when he tried to kiss her on the lips. She quickly moved away, so she\u2019s no longer restrained at this point. That\u2019s when they allege that he came up behind her, grabbing her hand, and placing her hand in his underwear. At that point, when there is an alleged intimate touching, there\u2019s no restraint.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n However, Judge Cochran responded by \u201csaying it was simply too soon to \u2018be cutting the line that finely,\u2019\u201d determining that Walters\u2019 accusations were “strong enough to let the case move forward while body sides gather evidence to show whether the alleged sexual assault qualifies for revival under AB 250\u201d (per Rolling Stone<\/em>).<\/p>\n He elaborated: \u201c[W]hat\u2019s being alleged, as alleged, wound ring that bell. With allegations like this, you think I\u2019m going to be quibbling with somebody about whether it\u2019s sexual assault or not at the pleading stage? I\u2019d have trouble sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n As Rolling Stone<\/em> wrote, Judge Cochran also stipulated that Walters \u201crelated claims of a cover-up by Warner\u2019s company, Marilyn Manson Records, might be more vulnerable to challenge, given that Walters did not agree to work as Warner’s assistant until after the alleged sexual assault.\u201d Yet, Judge Cochran nevertheless \u201csaid those claims, too, were strong enough to proceed for now\u201d before clarifying that \u201cWarner and his lawyers could challenge the claims again in a motion for summary judgment, after more evidence has been gathered in the case and the new law has been more fully applied.\u201d<\/p>\n Warner\u2019s lawyer, Howard King, commented to Rolling Stone<\/em> that this latest development \u201cwas not unexpected\u201d since Judge Cochran \u201ctelegraphed explicitly that we\u2019re not at the right stage of the case yet.\u201d Similarly, attorney Bina Ahmad (who\u2019s in Walters\u2019 camp) commented: \u201cWe are obviously pleased. We truly take the inspiration to keep fighting from our client. She\u2019s the brave one.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, the publication explains, Judge Cochran \u201cordered [Walter and Manson\u2019s] parties back for a case management conference in August.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Marilyn Manson Suddenly Halts Concert For ‘Confession’ About Sobriety<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n In March of 2022 (and per Loudwire\u2019s aforementioned January 2026 story), Manson \u201callegedly\u00a0threatened Walters with ‘retaliatory legal action’<\/a>\u00a0if she agreed to take part in Evan Rachel Wood<\/a>‘s\u00a0Phoenix Rising<\/em>\u00a0documentary. Two months later, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge\u00a0dismissed Walters’ suit<\/a>\u00a0citing the grounds of the statute of limitations.\u201d<\/p>\n Loudwire expounded:<\/p>\n Walters also filed an\u00a0amended suit<\/a>\u00a0against Manson in 2022\u00a0citing repressed memories of sexual abuse and battery and added that later threats of violence wrought a sense of fear within her. In 2023, a tribunal with California’s Second Appellate District\u00a0granted Walters an appeal<\/a>\u00a0that sent the case back to the judge for trial. The decision noted, “Walters’ allegations of delayed discovery were sufficient to withstand demurrer and we reverse.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In December of 2025, Judge Cochran \u201cruled that Manson would\u00a0have to sit for a deposition about the case<\/a>,\u201d but as already noted, the case was subsequently dismissed before being revived around the start of 2026.<\/p>\n Regarding the statute of limitations for Walters\u2019 claim(s), Judge Cochran told Rolling Stone<\/em> in December of 2025 [via Loudwire]:<\/p>\n We have a situation where the complaint was not filed until about 10 years after the operative events. I\u2019m not able to find that the delayed discovery rule is applicable. I don\u2019t have the authority to rule that the delayed discovery doctrine would apply under the circumstances that exist in this case.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Following the dismissal, Walters\u2019 lawyer \u2013 Kate McFarlane \u2013 professed to Rolling Stone<\/em>:<\/p>\n We\u2019re disappointed. We think this is the wrong decision. The delayed discovery rule is specifically to address situations where victims of sexual abuse deserve the ability to seek justice when their abuser has used tactics to prevent them from coming forward. This is something we see time and time again and it seems the law hasn\u2019t caught up to the science and what\u2019s right for victims. But I don\u2019t believe this is the end of the road.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In contrast, King told the magazine: \u201cIt\u2019s gratifying, after all these years, that a judge can just look at the facts and see that once again, Brian Warner was wrongfully accused. It\u2019s nice for him to get some justice, though it was at great personal cost. Now he can move on.\u201d<\/p>\n With Judge Cochran\u2019s latest rejection of Manson\u2019s request to dismiss Walter\u2019s case, the lawsuit is far from over.<\/p>\n Back in April, Manson debuted a new backing band<\/a> for his 2026 shows that included former collaborator (and ex-KMFDM<\/a> multi-instrumentalist) Tim Sk\u00f6ld<\/a>. Currently, Manson\u2019s live band features Sk\u00f6ld, Gil Sharone<\/a>, Piggy D<\/a> and Nick Annis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Around the same time, Manson stopped the first show of the 2026 edition of his One Assassination Under God tour<\/a> to make a \u201cconfession.\u201d Specifically, the concert took place at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, Calif. on April 22, and roughly halfway in, Manson told the crowd: \u201cSome of you may have known this, but I did in fact like the drugs.”<\/p>\n Per Loudwire\u2019s coverage of the moment, Manson was referencing his \u201c1998 single \u2018I Don’t Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me),\u2019\u201d and he \u201ccontinued talking about cocaine and how drugs wanted to \u2018marry\u2019 him because they \u2018loved\u2019 him so much.\u201d Then, Loudwire wrote, \u201chis tone slightly changed\u201d as he added: \u201cOne day, I had to teach drugs a lesson. I said, \u2018Hey, drugs, you want to go for a romantic ride in the desert with me?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Manson then said that he drove to the middle of nowhere, exited his car and told his drugs, \u201cI\u2019m going to love you forever\u201d before burying them. Finally, he declared himself a \u201cdrug addict\u201d and the band kicked off \u201cThe Dope Show.\u201d<\/p>\n You can watch his speech below:<\/p>\n Lastly, Manson is getting ready for an extensive international summer tour that\u2019ll last from early July to the end of September (with a few dates scheduled for October and November). Along the way, he\u2019ll be joined by Rob Zombie<\/a>, The Hu<\/a> and\/or Orgy<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can see all of the upcoming tour dates \u2013 and grab tickets \u2013 here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN<\/a> website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).<\/em><\/p>\n Just like that, a decade has gone by in a flash. Do you remember these essential albums of 2015?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Did Judge Steve Cochran Say About the Lawsuit?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
More Information About Walters\u2019 Lawsuit<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
Other Marilyn Manson News<\/strong><\/h3>\n
WATCH: Marilyn Manson Stops Show For Sobriety ‘Confession’<\/h3>\n
31 Essential Rock + Metal Albums Turning 10 in 2025<\/h2>\n